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We’re lucky enough to test a lot of products, mainly related to 3D printing or laser engraving, but for a change here’s our first electric bike test, the DYU A1F, a folding electric bike from Chinese manufacturer DYU, so verdict?
After more than 60 printing-related tests, it was time to try out some new types of product! I’d been hesitating to buy an electric bike for a while, as they’re becoming more and more popular. In everyday life, an electric bike can be very practical, for going to work and avoiding taking the car for short trips, without getting too tired…
DYU contacted me to ask if I’d be interested in testing their product, so I jumped at the chance without hesitation, and with great excitement! Unfortunately, the model I was most interested in in their catalog, the DYU C6, was no longer in stock, so I had to fall back on another model. I found the 26-inch DYU C6 very interesting, and this electric bike would have been very useful for my wife’s commute to work.
In the end, the DYU A1F was sent to us from their European warehouse, and we had to wait a week to receive it.
DYU A1F technical data
The DYU A1F electric bike is a 16-inch folding model equipped with a 250W motor and a 36V 7.5 Ah lithium battery offering a theoretical range of 30 to 40 km. It reaches a top speed of 25 km/h and recharges in 4 hours. With a weight of 21.2 kg, it can support up to 120 kg. Equipped with disc brakes, LED lighting and explosion-proof tires, this bike is ideal for urban travel, combining practicality and safety.
Motor: 250W brushless
Battery: Lithium 36V 7.5 Ah
Range: 30-40 km (assistance mode)
Maximum speed: 25 km/h
Charging time: 4 hours
Weight: 21.2 kg
Load capacity: 120 kg
Dimensions folded: 765 x 400 x 660 mm
Dimensions unfolded: 1342 x 542 x 1050 mm
Brakes: Front and rear disc
Lighting: Headlight and rear fog light
Can the DYU A1F be unbridled, and what are the regulations in France?
The DYU A1F is limited to a maximum speed of 25km/h. There is no “hidden” function to unlock this limit. In France, regulations impose a 25km/h limit for electrically-assisted bicycles, so that they are considered bicycles and not mopeds. This avoids obligations such as registration, helmet use and possession of a driving license. What’s more, unbridling a bike voids the warranty and insurance, and exposes you to fines in the event of an accident. For greater safety and compliance, we advise you to comply with legal standards.
Disclaimer: when buying an electric bike (especially a Chinese brand), make sure it is approved for the French market, and check with your insurance company.
Note that a bicycle (VAE) equipped with a 250W motor and not exceeding 25km/h is not subject to compulsory insurance. So you can ride a bike of this type without taking out third-party liability insurance.
But if you cause an accident while riding your unassisted bike, and you don’t have any third-party insurance, you’ll be personally liable for any damage caused to others.
It is therefore advisable to take out civil liability insurance, as it can cover you if you are responsible for an accident causing damage to third parties (source service-public.fr)
For a bike whose motor exceeds 250W and speeds up to 25km/h, liability insurance is compulsory.
Unpacking and assembling the DYU A1F
On receipt of the DYU A1F electric bike, the package weighing around 22kg is relatively small, as the bike is folded in on itself. The packaging is sturdy and the bike is carefully protected. Included in the package are the partially assembled DYU A1F, a box of accessories, the charger and the user manual.
Assembly is quick and easy: unfold the frame, attach the pedals using the tools supplied, and adjust the handlebars and saddle to the desired height. Be sure to check tire pressure and fully charge the battery before first use. In just a few steps, your DYU A1F will be ready in less than 10min.
Here are a few photos to give you an overview of the DYU A1F bike, lighting, speed control box and battery.
Charging the DYU A1F electric bike battery
The DYU A1F’s battery is not removable; it’s built into the bike’s frame, so you’ll need to connect the bike directly to its charging cable. When we received the bike, it seemed to be partially pre-charged, but we preferred to carry out a full charge cycle before using it.
Allow around 4 hours for a full charge, and you can check the battery level using the control box.
DYU A1F settings, how tall does the DYU A1F fit?
You can easily adjust the height of the saddle and handlebars, and even though the DYU A1F is relatively compact with only 16″ wheels, don’t underestimate its capacity! We tried adjusting it for different heights, between 1.45m (my 10 year-old son), 1.75m (my 15 year-old son) and 1.83cm for myself, we were all able to use the DYU A1F without any problem, it adjusts perfectly to our different heights.
Please note that it is not recommended for use by children, as electric bikes and scooters are forbidden to children under 14!
I’d also like to take this opportunity to mention the comfort of the saddle: the DYU A1F has a relatively wide, well-padded saddle, which is really comfortable.
DYU A1F range
The DYU A1F electric bike offers a theoretical range of 30 to 40 km in assisted mode, thanks to its 36V 7.5 Ah lithium battery. This range means you can make daily trips without worrying about frequent recharging. Conditions of use, such as terrain, rider weight and use of assistance mode, can influence this range. A full charge of the battery takes around 4 hours, which is convenient for a night-time recharge before setting off on a new day’s commuting.
Assistance mode requires you to pedal at the same time, and in use we found a range of around 38km in assistance mode for a person weighing 56kg.
Without pedaling, by constantly pressing the accelerator button (otherwise the bike stops), range drops to 18-20km.
So we’re relatively close to the range advertised on the manufacturer’s datasheet, and it remains to be seen whether the battery will maintain this range over the long term, but after 3 weeks of use, for around 10 aine charging cycles, we haven’t yet noticed any loss of range.
Transporting the DYU A1F folding bike
The DYU A1F is a folding electric bike, and therefore easier to transport. It’s very easy to fold using a small safety lever, and in just a few seconds you’ll be able to put the bike in the boot of your car!
Beware, though, that the bike is still relatively heavy, and once folded it’s not very practical to carry around bare-handed. I’ve tried folding the bike on the streetcar (in rush hour), which is less cumbersome and therefore relatively practical, but it’s still relatively heavy to move, so don’t expect to fold your bike to climb the stairs of a building unless you have a gym membership!
Adding a trailer to the DYU A1F
My wife wanted to be able to use the bike to run errands, so I looked into whether it was possible to attach a trailer to the DYU A1F. I couldn’t find the information before receiving it, so I tried it myself, and I can confirm: yes, it’s perfectly possible to add a trailer!
Please note that there is no attachment installed on the bike, so you’ll have to buy one on Amazon for around €12 for a universal attachment. We bought a trailer on Amazon for around €100, so there’s something for every price…
To install it, all you have to do is unscrew the nut on the landing gear, and add the hitch on top of it. At first, I was worried that it wouldn’t work with 16-inch wheels, but in the end it didn’t pose any problem!
Verdict after 3 weeks’ use of the DYU A1F
We were really excited to receive our first electric bike, and we weren’t disappointed by the DYU A1F! There are 3 of us who use it regularly, whether it’s to get to work, to run a quick errand or for family outings (and then it gets complicated to negotiate whose turn it is to take this bike!).
We’ve been using it for 3 weeks now, almost daily, and haven’t encountered any particular problems. It’s a real pleasure to use, especially when climbing certain hills!
Our opinion on the DYU A1F: should you buy it?
This electric bike is still relatively affordable, costing less than €600. There aren’t many electric bikes in this price range, which are generally over €1,000. It’s true that a bike with 16-inch wheels wouldn’t necessarily have been our first choice if we’d been able to get the C6 model, but after having this DUY A1F in our hands we find it very practical, it doesn’t take up much space, and is perfectly suited to short urban trips. If you’re looking for a bike for forest rides, you’ll have to choose another model, as this folding bike has no shock absorber!
Would we recommend buying this bike?
If you’re on a budget and want to use it mainly in town, we’d definitely recommend this electric bike.
